ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT OF ADDENDUMS
Hereby acknowledge receipt of the addendum A, B, and C and undertake to abide by the conditions as set out in the following addendums:
ADDENDUM A: Code of Conduct for Students
I/We undertake to see to it that my/our child will respect the Code of Conduct for students and abide by the norms, values and disciplinary requirements of the school, as set out in the Code.
I/We accept that the necessary disciplinary measures will be taken against my/our child should it become necessary and undertake to accept these measures as they are implemented.
ADDENDUM B: Code of Conduct for Parents
I/We undertake to commit to the Code of Conduct for Parents and will abide by the stipulations set forth therein.
ADDENDUM C: Progression Requirements
I/We take note of the School’s Progression Requirements and hereby accept and undertake to abide by the stipulations set forth therein.
CHILD SAFEGUARDING POLICY
Assumption Convent Primary School adheres to the Child Safeguarding Policy as set by the Catholic Board of Education.
This policy serves to ensure the safety and protection of the learners in the school and ensures that referral of suspected or known child abuse is dealt with in accordance with the law.
I/We hereby declare:
That I/We are aware that the school has a Child Safeguarding Policy.
That I/We are aware that the policy is available for my perusal on request.
That I/We are aware that the school is compelled by law to report any knowledge of suspicion of abuse to the relevant authorities.
That I/We will do everything in my power to ensure the safety and protection of the child/ren in my/our care.
ADDENDUM A
DISCIPLINARY SYSTEM AND CODE OF CONDUCT
Introduction:
Assumption Convent Primary School delivers quality education to all of its learners. We attempt to maintain a standard of education that is higher and of a superior quality to that offered in government schools.
We strive to develop children holistically and produce confident and well-disciplined boys and girls with high moral values at the end of grade 7.
In order to accomplish this, a high level of discipline needs to be maintained throughout the school.
Discipline is, however, not just a matter to be handled by the school, but rather an issue to be tackled by the school in conjunction and co-operation with the child’s primary educators, - the parents or guardians.
Assumption Convent Primary School does not support a system of corporal punishment but rather focuses on a system based on choice and consequences.
This means that we strive to teach our learners that they always have a choice in life. Whatever choices they make, will result in certain consequences, e.g. If a child chooses not to do his/her homework, the consequence will be that he/she receives a demerit for homework not done.
Furthermore, our disciplinary system is based on reward vs punishment, which implies that learners are not only being punished for transgressions but they also have ample opportunity to be rewarded for good choices made and for good disciplinary conduct.
Without a strict disciplinary code in place and without co-operative participants in this system, it is not possible to maintain good discipline in a school. Without good discipline in a school, no effective learning and teaching is possible.
It is therefore imperative that prospective learners and parents of this school be informed about the school’s requirements regarding discipline. Prospective parents and learners are requested to study this document very carefully and ONLY sign it if they are prepared to abide by its stipulations.
It needs to be made very clear that students who display an unwillingness to co-operate within the disciplinary system of this school will not be tolerated and parents/guardians will consequently be asked to remove their child from the school in such cases.
Prospective parents and students need to be aware of the fact that Assumption Convent Primary School is an independent school and as such, right of admission is reserved. This implies that the school cannot be forced to accept a child for admission to its classes and that it remains the school’s prerogative to decide who is entitled to the privilege of education at this school and who is not.
Should you as parent/guardian, upon studying the disciplinary requirements set out in this document, not be prepared to sign the code of conduct and disciplinary undertaking, you are free to apply for admission at another school of your choice.
Admission to the school is dependant, amongst other stipulations, on the acceptance of the school’s disciplinary code and code of conduct. NO negotiations in this regard will be engaged into.
Following is a detailed description of the school’s disciplinary system, together with the students’ Code of Conduct. Please study this information carefully and indicate your acceptance and willingness to conform to the standards prescribed by signing in the indicated spaces. Please do so ONLY if you and your child are serious and committed to co-operating with the school in this regard.
DISCIPLINARY SYSTEM – GRADE 4 to 7
1. At the start of each week, each student receives a ‘Merit/Demerit’ form assigned to that particular student, which is carried, together with the forms of all the other students in a class, in a file, from lesson to lesson.
2. These forms contain two categories. Category one indicates the possible demerits a student may receive, such as: Absent without apology/late for class, assignment/book not handed in, daily report not signed/left at home/lost, diary not signed/homework not recorded, dishonesty, disobedience, eating in class/chewing gum, exam/test/book not signed, failed exam/test/class test, homework not done/incomplete, not doing assigned duties, personal appearance/wrong uniform, PT uniform at home, reply slip/form not returned, script/text book not in class/lost, stationery left at home, sulking/not accepting admonishment. These transgressions may lead to ONE demerit awarded to a student.
More serious transgressions, such as the following, may lead to the student receiving TWO demerits: Arrogance/disrespectful, bullying/fighting/teasing/belittling, ignoring an order, in possession of illegal items/cell phone, disruptive/rowdiness, theft, swearing, threatening/intimidation, vandalism.
3. Category two indicates the possible merits a student may receive, such as: Academic performance, displaying good character principles, such as caring, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, good citizenship etc, diligence/academic work/neat work, enthusiasm/going the extra mile, honesty/handing in money/reporting, no demerits per week, participation(non academic), volunteering for extra duty/help.
4. Merits/demerits are indicated on the student’s form throughout the day. At the end of the day, these forms are sent to a central point and parents/guardians are notified of all demerits earned on that particular day via SMS. On Fridays parents/guardians are notified of all merits received by the student via SMS. The purpose of these SMS messages is for parents/guardians to be aware of their child’s transgressions throughout the day, as well as his/her ‘good deeds’ performed. Parents/guardians are welcome to follow up on these SMS’s and make an appointment with the teacher/s concerned to discuss the issue.
5. Register class teachers keep track of every student’s list of merits and demerits and indicate these on a wall chart displayed in the classroom.
DEMERITS
6. As soon as a student has received 25 demerits, he/she receives a first Red Letter, which is to be taken home and signed by the parents/guardians. This letter notifies parents/guardians that the student is on 25 demerits and that they, together with the student, need to take action. In addition to this, the student is placed on Daily Report.
7. Daily Report means that a student receives another form which he/she should take to each lesson of the day. After every lesson, the particular teacher must indicate on the form whether or not there were any problems with the student during that lesson. This is done for each lesson the student has for that day.
8. At the end of the day, the student must take his/her Daily Report to the Deputy Principal who will look at the remarks made by teachers during the course of the day. He will then address any problems forthcoming with the student and then sign the report. The student must then take the report home for the perusal of his/her parents/guardians.
It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to carefully study their child’s Daily Report and discuss problems indicated on the report with him/her. The report should then be signed by the parents/guardians. At this stage it is important that parents/guardians seriously work with their child in an attempt to prevent him/her from getting any more demerits. This can be done by closer supervision of the child’s activities, scrutiny of homework done, checking the diary on a daily basis, ensuring that al work has been done, etc.
9. Upon reaching 50 demerits, the student receives a second Red Letter, and in addition to remaining on Daily Report, he/she is put on break detention. The second Red Letter serves to inform the parents/guardian that the student has reached 50 demerits and that he/she will be placed on break detention. This letter also makes an urgent plea to parents/guardians to seriously intervene in their child’s studies in order to curb the accumulation of demerits.
10. Should a student receive 75 demerits, he/she is sent to the Principal. The child remains on break detention as well as daily report. At this stage the student’s privileges are withheld from him/her and he/she is not allowed to take part in PT, wear civvies or participate in any extramural activities. In addition to this, the Principal will call the parents/guardians in for a discussion regarding this matter.
11. After accumulating 100 demerits, the student is again sent to the Principal, who will suspend the student internally. This means that the student will not be allowed to attend classes but will be isolated form his/her class. The teacher will provide the student with the work done by the rest of the class. The parents/guardians will, once again be called in to see the Principal. All other conditions as stipulated under no 10 above will be implemented.
12. After reaching 125 demerits, all the conditions in no. 11 above apply. In addition to this, the student will be suspended from classes, which means that the student will not be allowed to come to school for a set period of time.
13. Once a student reaches 150 demerits, he/she, together with the parents/guardians will be officially informed by the Executive Board, as represented by the Principal, that the student will not be allowed placement at the school as from the next term. Should this occur in the 3rd or 4th term of the school year, the student will be allowed to complete his/her studies at the school, but will not be granted placement at the school in the following year.
14. Depending on the particular transgression, a student may also be sent for detention. There are normally two sessions of detention scheduled in a week – two hours of detention after school on a Wednesday or a Friday afternoon. It is also the responsibility of the parents/guardians to see to it that alternative transport arrangements are made for their child to be collected from school after the detention session.
MERITS
15. The parents/guardians of students, who receive merits throughout the course of the week, are informed of this via SMS on Fridays.
16. In addition to this there is a system in place whereby students can earn merits for various things and be rewarded at certain stages for having achieved a set amount of merits.
This reward may vary from a letter sent home, commending a student for good behaviour, to receiving a Merit Badge or party snacks during break time, or even receiving an Honorary Badge, depending on how many merits a student has received.
Conclusion:
Assumption Convent Primary School prides itself on the well-balanced, disciplined students we send to High School at the end of grade 7. Our students are the promoters of our school. Good behaviour, good moral values, and above all, good discipline, are among the major contributors to moulding our students into role models.
We trust that you, as prospective parents will appreciate and understand this vital fact.
Following is a copy of the School’s Code of Conduct for students. Please familiarise yourself with its contents before signing the undertaking below:
ADDENDUM B
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS
At Assumption Convent Primary School, we acknowledge that parents/guardians are partners in education together with their children and the educators of the school, and we strive to create and foster channels of communication and mutual support.
Parents/guardians in turn, are expected to uphold the ethos of the School at all times, especially by requiring students to respect and observe all School rules, together with the School’s Code of Conduct. To facilitate this, parents/guardians are required to sign the Codes of Conduct for both students and parents.
Parents/guardians are also expected to:
· Take an active interest in their children’s schoolwork and ensure as far as possible that learners complete assigned homework on time;
· Supply the School with all information relevant to the wellbeing and education of their children, monitor the progress of learners, and let the School know of any problems which may be adversely affecting the student’s performance;
· Ensure that their child has the correct textbooks, stationery, uniform and all other requisites necessary for full participation in School life, and to ensure that all these personal items are clearly labelled and marked with the child’s name;
· Ensure that their children attend School regularly and notify the School if he/she is ill, or for any other reason, unable to be present;
· Ensure that their children arrive at school on time and are collected promptly at the appropriate time, when school comes out. If for any reason this is not possible, parents/guardians should notify the School timeously.
Because the ultimate responsibility for the behaviour of students rests with their parents/guardians, parents/guardians are required to:
· Accept responsibility for any misbehaviour on the part of their children;
· Support the disciplinary procedures followed by the School provided they are conducted in a fair and just manner in accordance with the School’s. A copy of the disciplinary system is included in the re-registration forms distributed annually;
· View the referral of their children for supportive therapy (speech therapy, occupational therapy, remedial therapy, therapy provided by educational psychologists etc), if it happens, in a very serious light and see to it that their children attend the recommended therapy sessions. This is part of parents’ responsibility and form part of the child’s right ‘not to be neglected in any way and to have his/her best interest served in every matter concerning him/her’, as stated in the National Constitution. Refusing a child to receive the recommended therapy, which is in the child’s best interest, could constitute negligence on the part of the parent/guardian
Parents/guardians are encouraged to:
· Support the School in all its activities where possible and to be loyal to the School and refrain from referring to the school in a degrading or negative way of any kind. In the case where a parent/guardian becomes disgruntled with a situation at school, the matter should be taken up in person with the Principal.
· Show a willingness to be involved in the School community by, for example, regularly attend meetings at the School. In cases where parents/guardians wish to discuss any matter pertaining their children’s welfare or progress, an appointment should be made through the office in order to meet the educator concerned or the Principal. The time for such appointment should be honoured so as not to waste an educator’s time waiting for a parent to show up for a scheduled meeting. Under no circumstance are parents/guardians permitted to deal directly with other students.
· Foster an attitude of pride and respect in their children towards the school and teachers.
As an Independent School, we rely on the full and prompt payment of fees and other monies to ensure the smooth running of the School. Parents/guardians who may from time to time experience difficulty in this regard, are expected to approach the Principal/bursar immediately in order to reach a satisfactory agreement.
ADDENDUM C
PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS
The following are guidelines for determining a learner’s progress in Grade R:
(a) Adequate Achievement (50-59%) in English Home Language.
(b) Moderate Achievement (40-49%) in Mathematics.
The following are guidelines to determine whether a learner should be permitted to progress from Grade 1 to 3 in the Foundation Phase:
(a) Adequate Achievement (50-59%) in English Home Language.
(b) Moderate Achievement (40-49%) in Afrikaans First Additional Language.
(c) Moderate Achievement (40-49%) in Mathematics.
The following are guidelines for determining a learner’s promotion from Grade 4 to 6 in the Intermediate Phase:
(a) Adequate Achievement (50-59%) in English Home Language.
(b) Moderate Achievement (40-49%) in Afrikaans First Additional Language.
(c) Moderate Achievement (40-49%) in Mathematics and
(d) Moderate Achievement (40-49%) in any other two (2) of the remaining subjects.
PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADES 7
(a) Adequate Achievement (50-59%) in English Home Language.
(b) Moderate Achievement (40-49%) in Afrikaans First Additional Language.
(c) Moderate Achievement (40-49%) in Mathematics.
(d) Moderate Achievement (40-49%) in any three (3) of the other subjects or
(e) At least an Elementary Achievement (30-39%) in any two (2) of the other subjects.
STIPULATION:
· Please note that students who fail their Grade 7 year will not be allowed to repeat Grade 7 at Assumption Convent Primary School.
· Students in Grades 1- 6 who fail, will only be allowed to repeat their grade at Assumption Convent Primary School under strict conditions regarding behaviour and work ethic. Such conditions will be discussed with parents individually and placements will be on a term to term basis.
POPI PRIVACY POLICY
1. COMMITMENT TO YOUR PRIVACY
1.1. Assumption Convent Primary School is committed to protecting the privacy of our parents and learners. We value the trust of our parents and learners and recognize that maintaining your trust, requires transparency and accountability in how we handle your Personal Information.
1.2. Assumption Convent Primary School, in performing its services in the ordinary course of business, may collect, use and disclose Personal information. Anyone from whom Assumption Convent Primary School collects such information, can expect that it will be appropriately and lawfully protected and that any use of, or other dealing with this information, is subject to consent, where this is required by law. This is in line with our general privacy practices.
1.3. This Policy sets out how Assumption Convent Primary School collects, uses, discloses, and safeguards the Personal Information it processes in the course of its business.
2. DEFINITIONS
2.1. In this Policy, in addition to the other terms that have been defined in the body of the Policy, Assumption Convent Primary School makes use of the following terms:
2.1.1. "Personal Information" means all information which may be considered to be personal in nature or Information about an identifiable natural and / or existing juristic person (where applicable) in terms of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 ("ECTA"), the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 ("CPA") and the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (“POPIA"); and
2.1.2. ”You, your or yourself” refers to any person who makes use of our services, whether or not such use is free of charge or paid for.
2.2. In addition, unless the contrary is specified, terms that are used in the Policy that are specifically defined in POPIA, are given the meanings ascribed to them in POPIA.
3. WHAT PERSONAL INFORMATION DOES ASSUMPTION CONVENT PRIMARY SCHOOL COLLECT AND WHY†
Assumption Convent Primary School may collect Personal Information in conducting its ordinary business operations, including through the use of its Website. In processing such Personal Information, Assumption Convent Primary School, at all times strives to ensure that (i) it complies with the provisions of POPIA, and
(ii) such Personal Information is used for legitimate business purposes.
4. OBTAINING CONSENT
Assumption Convent Primary School does not, except where otherwise permitted by law, collect, use or disclose your Personal Information without your consent.
Unless you, at any time, instruct the Assumption Convent Primary Schoel expressly and in writing to the contrary, your consent is given for the School to:
4.1.Collect, store and process information about you and any Third Party of divorced or separated Parent responsible for payment of any or all amounts owing in school fees.
4.2. Collect, store and process names, contact details and information relating to yourself and your Child, and to such information being made available to other parents/guardians, staff or responsible persons engaged or authorized by the School. For School-related purposes to the extent required for the purpose of managing relationships between the School, parents/guardians, and current learners.
4.3. Include photographs, er videos with or without name, of your Child in School publication9 er social platforms, or in press releases to celebrate the School's or your Child's activities, achievements or successes;
4.4. Supply information and a reference in respect of your Child to any educational institution which you propose your Child may attend. Assumption Convent Primary School will take case to ensure that all information that is supplied relating to your Child is accurate and any opinion given on his/her ability, aptitude and character is fair. However, Assumption Convent Primary School cannot be liable for any loses you or your Child is alleged to have suffered resulting from opinions reasonably given, or correct statements of fact contained, in any reference or report given by us.
5. USE AND DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
5.1. Assumption Convent Primary School conducts its business in general, in accordance with South African legislation, and considers it imperative to protect the privacy interests of data subjects.
5.2. In the event that Assumption Convent Primary School sends Personal Information outside of South Africa (including if such information is hosted offshore), Assumption Convent Primary School will ensure that it takes all reasonable steps to ensure that it complies with all applicable laws in this regard, including POPIA.
6. RETENTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
All Personal Information retained on Assumption Convent Primary School's database, including such information obtained through the use of the Website, is in accordance with the retention provisions set out in the applicable laws and regulations of South Africa, including those set out in POPIA
7. YOUR RIGHTS IN RELATION TO YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
7.1. It is important to note that you have rights in relation to your Personal Information.
7.2. You have the right to contact Assumption Convent Primary School at any time to:
7.2.1. confirm that it holds your Personal Information (at no charge);
7.2.2. provide you access to any records containing your Personal Information or a description of the Personal Information that Assumption Convent Primary School holds about you (subject to payment of a prescribed fee); and / or
7.2.3. confirm the identity or categories of third parties who have had, or currently have, access to
your Personal Information (also subject to payment of a prescribed fee).
7.3. When you make a request regarding your Personal Information, Assumption Convent Primary School will take reasonable steps to confirm your identity.
7.4. There may be times when Assumption Convent Primary School cannot grant access to your Personal Information, including where granting you access would (i) interfere with the privacy of others, or (ii) result in a breach of confidentiality. Assumption Convent Primary School will always provide you with reasons if this is the case.
7.5. If you are of the view that any Personal Information that Assumption Convent Primary School holds about you is incorrect in any way, including that it is inaccurate, irrelevant, outdated, incomplete or misleading, you are allowed to ask Assumption Convent Primary School to correct it. If you believe that any Personal Information that Assumption Convent Primary School holds about you is excessive or has been unlawfully obtained, you can ask Assumption Convent Primary School to destroy or delete it. You may do the same if you think that Assumption Convent Primary School has retained if for longer than necessary, given the purpose. Assumption Convent Primary School will do so unless there are good grounds not to (such as that Assumption Convent Primary School is require to hold it for a period prescribed by any applicable legislation).
7.6. It is important, however, to understand that if you withdraw your consent for Assumption Convent Primary School to use some of your Personal Information, it may affect the quality and level of service that Assumption Convent Primary School can provide to you.
8. SECURITY
8.1. Assumption Convent Primary School has adopted a security model to protect your Personal Information that complies with generally accepted information security practices and procedures.
This is in addition to the physical security measures adopted by Assumption Convent Primary School to ensure that it takes all appropriate, reasonable technical and organizational measures to prevent (i) loss of, damage to, or unauthorized destruction of Personal Information, and (ii) unlawful acce6s to or processing of Personal Information
8.2. Assumption Convent Primary School confirms that it takes all reasonable measures to:
8.2.1. identify all reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks to any Personal Information in its possession or under its control;
8.2.2. establish and maintain appropriate safeguards against any risks that are identified;
8.2.3. regularly verify that these safeguards are effectively implemented and
8.2.4. ensure that such 9afeguards are continually updated in response to new risks or deficiencies in previously implemented safeguards.
9. UPDATING OF PRIVACY POLICY
Assumption Convent Primary School, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to update, modify or amend this Policy from time-to-time with or without notice. You therefore agree and undertake to review the Policy whenever you visit the school. Save as expressly provided to the contrary in this Policy, any amended version of the Policy shall supersede and replace all previous versions thereof.